1940-41: Bruins Streak To Stanley Cup

The Three Stars:

Bruins Win The Stanley Cup: The unstoppable Boston Bruins win their third Stanley Cup. They enjoyed a NHL record 23 game unbeaten streak (15-0-8) spanning 2 months. The Bruins also go 15 games at home without losing. The Bruins would not win another Stanley Cup until 1970 - 29 years later.

Irvin Leaves Toronto, Goes To Montreal: Toronto's coach Dick Irvin, who has guided the Leafs to 8 Stanley Cup finals in the last decade, re-signs from Toronto and joins the arch rival Montreal Canadiens. Irvin's first season in Montreal was nothing to get excited about - 16-26-6 record - but he would turn the Canadiens into a powerhouse. He would reach the Stanley Cup final 8 more times in Montreal, winning three championships.

LoPresti's Record Night: The Boston Bruins use Chicago Black Hawks goalie Sam LoPresti as their shooting gallery in a 3-2 win on March 4th, 1941. LoPresti faces 83 shots! LoPresti's record performance almost got Chicago at least a point. The Bruins Eddie Wiseman only scored the game winning goal with 2:31 left in the game.

Chicago Goalie Sam LoPresti

Season Highlights:

• When Chicago downed Boston 3-2 in overtime on December 8th, 1940 it marked the first Bruins overtime loss in 6 years. They went an astonishing 13-0-36 in that span.
• Boston's Bill Cowley shatters the record for most assists in a season. His 45 helpers are 8 more than Joe Primeau's previous best. Cowley wins the scoring championship (as well as the Hart Trophy as MVP) with 62 points. For the first time in history the scoring champion has more assists than any other player has total points. Bryan Hextall of the New York Rangers is runner up with 44 points.
• A new rule is introduced: resurfacing the ice between periods is made mandatory.